Checking Out the OverDrive READ Format on an iPad

The new OverDrive READ format uses HTML5 technology to save the entire
eBook in your browser. How is this different from using the Kindle or
OverDrive Media Console app?

No registration needed

No additional app needed

No Adobe ID needed (OMC app only)

No Amazon account needed (Kindle app only)

The OverDrive READ book opens in a new tab on your browser!

Of note: The OverDrive READ format works better in some browsers than
others. In some cases, like with the Nook Tablet I experimented with,
it was more enjoyable to read the book in the Adobe EPUB format in the
OMC app than in the new READ format. Experiment yourself and share your
results with your local librarian!

Log into the site and browse for eBooks as you would on a desktop
computer. Narrow your results by format by selecting "OverDrive READ"
from the Format section. See: Browsing for eBooks. (Link Needed)

Check to make sure the eBook is available in the OverDrive READ format.

Click the "Borrow" button...

Click the "Read (in your browser)" button. A new tab will open with the eBook.

(Click on any image to enlarge...)

After the file finishes loading, look at the tips panel and tap "OK" to
get rid of it. Pull the page down to see reader options.

More options can be found by swiping from right to left...

You can either bookmark the site (book) or save the site to your home
screen. Adding an icon to your home screen is a great way to remember
the book!

19 July 2013

Here’s
the situation: you have a roomful of users, and you want to teach them
how to use their eReader devices or the OverDrive app on a tablet or
smartphone. Perhaps your first instinct is to search your collection for
the latest bestseller, only to find that there’s a mile-long waiting
list for that book. What can you do?

Your
best bet is to check your library’s OverDrive-powered site for the
“Additional eBooks Always Available” graphic shown here. Clicking this
graphic will take you to the library site’s collection of Project
Gutenberg titles – a collection of thousands of titles offered in Open
EPUB format, which are DRM free.

As the graphic says, these titles do not count against checkout
limits, meaning no waiting list is created. If you use these titles for
training purposes, your users can still get the books because they are
always available. Anyone can grab one of these titles if they need
something else to read, while they keep a checkout open on their card in
case that mile-long waiting list shifts in their favor.

If the Gutenberg titles aren’t quite enough for you, there are many
publishers offering Simultaneous Access titles for your collection.
Some of these include Duke Classics, Blackstone, Tantor, Disney Digital,
and many more (visit Marketplace,
or contact your Collection Development representative for a complete
list). Please note that titles in these collections will count as
checkouts for your users, however there will be no waiting list for
those titles since they are also always available. Now, when you stand
in front of your students, you’ll have more options at your fingertips,
and demonstrating how easy it is to enjoy OverDrive media should be a
breeze.